Spark producing mechanism



Oct. 17, 1950 M OKEEFFE 2,526,151

SPARK PRODUCING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 2, 1947 INVENTQR. Michael O'Kee ff e ATTORNEY Qct. 17,-195o v MUKEEFFE. 2,526,151

SPARK PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed June 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J [at i M" T "11:11.1

' INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1950-. GKEEFFE 2,526,151

' SPA RODUCING MECHANISM Filed June 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Michael O'Keeffe ATTORNEY 1 1950 M. O'KEEFFE SPARK PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed June 2, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ichcel O'Keeffe ATTORNEY in order to replace the flinta,

Patented Oct. 17, 1950 OFFICE SPARK PRODUCING MECHANISM MichaeLQKeeffe, Bronx, N. Y. l

Application June 2, 19421, SerialNo. 751,666

Claims.

My invention relates to spark producing mechanism of the type which embodies a pyrophoric material to produce sparks to ignite a flame, which may be used for any desired purpose, ordinarily that of igniting cigaretteac'igars, pipes and the like. I 1

One of the objects of my'inventi'on'is to provide a flint actuating mechanism wherein the pressure exerted by thefiint against the friction wheel may be maintained within predetermined Another object of my"invention is to provide a fiint mechani'smin which a flint of unusually long length can be used. At present'fiints' are soshort as to necessitate frequent renewa'L'fMy invention permits the use or a long flint and thus avoids the inconvenience of frequent renewal.

Further object of my: invention is to provide storage space for spare flints; within the mechanism such that unusually long flints of the same length as thoseusedin. the mechanism can be stored.

' illustrating" the general assembly of yfi a me An additional object of,my invention i to,

provide a simple means for removing the flint. mechanism from the case or body Another object of myin ention is to provide a simple-flint mechanism which can-be entirelyreplaced as a unit without'difiiculty.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism in which thereis no danger-of acthe mechanism that might set oil fumes inside of the mechanism. X

Another object of myv invention is toprovide .a mechanism .for holding the flint in a vertical 7 and rigidly fixed position with respect; to the friction wheel, especially when the flint has been worn down to a short length, and thus avoid having the remainingpart of the hint become useless due to being pushed .out of alignment which commonly-occurs with prior art mechanjsms v Another object, of my invention 'is 't provide a mechanism which cannotbedamaged by some- ,one inadvertently turning the adjusting wheel tootightly. x:

7 Other objects of my invention-,-wi1l heapparent from the followingdescription. i

For an understanding of my inventionff'and *for an illustration of "one i form of the same,

reference is had in which to the accompanying l drawings,

Fig. 1 is apartially cutaway elevation View,

of the lighterv cidental fire or explosion due-tosparking within 'ofthe crossbar z;

I mechanism.

Referring to the drawingsf fiintjhtthe producing mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a bottom cutaway viewshowing the arrangement of apart of the mechanism' I Fig. 3 is a sectional ViE W on the line in Fig. 1.'

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on theline 4 in Fig.1.

Fig. 5Iis a sectional view on theline 5 5 m Fig.1

Fig; 6' is a vertical sectional-viewer the lower Pa th r .j rin my par p od cin w l i dt e' ers c iyew ew Of a raf ofthemechanism-ofFig. 6. Fig' 8 is a sectional view on the line 8 d in Fig.6.

in'g crossbar v 2, the coil spring 3, the fixed crossr. 4 and t e hr ade plu eal iirestra ne'd from movement in a radial direction by the kidney shaped tubes 6 and L. v'Ih-e kidney shaped tubes 8 and 6a are in turn restrained from movement in a radial direction by the top efnd plate I andthe bottomen d plate 8. The" top end plate 1 and the 'bottom end plate}; are permanently secured to the kidney tubes 6 and 6aby'soldering or similar means. Top end plate ,1 isheld in a fixed position with respecttog'the case and the sparking wheel by the two locat- "ing pins 9, onenot shown, which pins 19 iserve ll; The channelend plate 1 2 whi nhassquared parallel ends 13 that mate with thehatshaped retaining slide l4. This hatshaped retaining slide I isfheldin place by Z'-shaped 01139 15 which are permanently attached to the' bottom of the lighter case II and further held'inplace byfdimple I6 in chann el end plate l 2 and dimple i l 4-? Y l, 1

fThre'aded plug Shes external threads'pwhich cooperate with the internal threads of rotatable tube'l's. iPlug" 5 has'key way 19 diametrically opposite to each other Crossbar 4 is'fixe i n Qs i n. a; he ttom f th k y w s '9. floating crossbar 2 has itsouter' ends turned downwardto provide larger bearing surface'on the side of 'thekey ways 19/00 prevent tilting 'e'knurled wheel 20 has-a recess-2| "is positioned the ratchet spring 22.; Ratchet spring zz is positioned so as to cooperate with the teeth of ratchetcollar 23 which is permanently I to' detachably secure th. kidney f tubes' 6 and 6a. to the body of the lighter case-J -24 by the flintv I.

22 would not make any sound when the ratchet collar 23.

3 secured to the threaded tube I8, thus forming a spring loaded clutch.

Flint I rests on floating crossbar 2 which in turn is forced upwardly against the bottom of flint I by coil spring 3. Fixed crossbar 4 pushes upwardly against coil spring 3 and is fixed to the threaded plug 5.

In operation of my mechanism the knurled wheel 29 is turned, carrying withit ratchet spring 22 which cooperates with teeth of the ratchet collar 23. This causes ratchet collar 23 and threaded tube I8 to turn. Threaded plug 5 is prevented from turning by floating crossbar 2 and fixed crossbar reacting radially against stationary kidney tubes 6 and 6a. As a result, when tube i8 is turned, plug 5 is forced upward or downward, depending on the direction of'rotation. This results in a vertical movement of fixed crossbar 4 which presses against coil spring 3 and floatingcrossbar 2. Crossbar 2 in turn exerts pressure on flint I to force it against friction wheel 24.

Whenever the friction between flint land friction wheel 24 becomes insufficient to. produce proper sparking, due to wearing away of the flint, the operation, above described, is repeated by turning knurled wheel so as to force flintl upward and reestablish the predeterminedproper friction. This operation is repeated when necessary until the flint is, entirelypconsumed; The flintwill remainvertical to the end, being held by kidney tubes 6 and 6a and collar 25. This avoids loss of a considerable part of the flint due to its being pushed out of alignment when near .its end, as usually occurs in prior art flint mechanisms.

One of the principal objectives is obtained by predetermining the maximum amount of pressure that can be applied to the friction wheel This can be readily accomplished due to the fact that the relationship between the friction of the spring loaded clutch,

composed of prestressed ratchet spring 22, together with ratchet collar 23, and the stress'o'f coil spring 3 determines the pressure of flint I against the" friction wheel 24. Thus, when coil spring 3 hasbeenicompressed'to the-dimension producing the desired pressure of flint I against th e. fri ct io n;wheel '24, further rotation oft-the knurled wheel Zdresults in deflection ofratchet spring 22, causing the sameto" slip over the jteeth' of ,the ratchetjco11ar'23. This produces a clicking sound, which. indicates to the user thatthe maximum required pressure-of the flint Iagainst ffriction' wheel, 24 has been attained. r materialQsuch-as a phenolic plastic is used for the ratchet. collar 23, then ratchetspring slippin over Nevertheless, f a distinct click could be felt although no additional pressure would be applied against flint I by further turning of the knurled wheel. Thus the pressure could not be accidentallyincreased and the mechanism could not'be accidentally damaged or excessive -1 "lint wear caused by too much pressure or turning of the knurled wheel- The kidney shaped tubes 6 and Gaserve primarily to. hold the flint I andco-il spring 3, as well as other parts of the mechanism in .a vertical position. This also prevents the flint from being forced-into an angular 'position when it has been almost entirely used'up sincethe to-p end of the flint l is supported by the collar] 25. ilareifect the i liner edge of thekidney shaped tubes 5 and.

d u du db exte s 6a upwardly alongside of the flint and through the case II so as to replace the collar 25 in supporting the flint I. Such a partial projection of the top edges of kidney tubes 6 and 6a could also be used to position the top end of the mechanism in the case II and thus also replace the locating pins 9. This is another form of my invention which is not illustrated. It should be noted that the position of kidney 10 tubes fiand 6a'. is such .that their broader dimension is parallel to the axis of the friction wheel 24 and thus is perpendicular to the di rection of the force applied by friction wheel 24 on flint I. Y Another function of the kidney tubes 6 and 6a is that they may be utilized to store spare flints since they are hollow and can accommodate two flints apiece. The spare flints are not illustrated in the drawings. Access to the spare flints may 20 be had by sliding sideways the hatshaped retaining slide I4 then withdrawing the mechanism assembly from the bottom'of the lighter case. The spare flint may then be inserted in the kidney tubesfi and (id for storage or may be 5 removed from the same, as desired. The ends of the kidney tubes 6 and Gaare open at the top and closed at the bottom when the assembly is removed from the case II. When the assembly is in position for normal usethe tops of the kidney tubes 6 and 6a are covered by the top of the lighter case II, thus preventing loss of the spare flints when the lighter is in use. f

The removal of the entire 'mechanism asdescribed above shows another important-feature of my invention, namely that'the entirejmechanism can be removed and replaced with a new one very readily,'if desired. V V

Asexplaine'd above, in operation, theknurled Wheel 20 is turned and through ratchet spring 22 40 and ratchet collar 23 the tube I8 is causedto rotate. This results "in vertical=-movement of threaded plug 5 which carries with it the fixed crossbar 4 so as to compress coil spring 3. Coil spring 3 exerts pressure on the floating crossbar 2 which raises it upwardly against flint I, contacting friction wheel-24, under any desired and predetermined pressure. g

' It should be noted that by use of my mechanism no rotating part comes in frictional contact with flint I while it is being tightenedsince the floating crossbar 2 always remainsin the same'verticalplanebut is free to moveve'rtically. This avoids the dangerfof'an'internalspark in the mechanism during the tighteningiwhi'ch might be .35 coupled withthe'presenceof in'flammable or explodable mixture in the mechanism and the resultant danger of explosionjof the lighter. My lighter is, therefore, explosion proof.

As described above, Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate another form of my inventioninwhich the entire mechanism is recessed into the case I I so that'the gbottom of case I I is-perfectly' flat'-'and the lighter has a flat bottom so that it can stand by -itsel-f. This is desirable for some typesof lighters; Also, the form of my invention, shown in 'Figs. 6 and '7 has certain advantages from the point of View of manufacture in that the entire bottom portion ofthe mechanism can be as'sembledupsidedown and the assembly completed by one riveting operation;

This form of my invention'embodies the same basic operating principles as the form of my invention shown in Fig. 1 described above.; Internal parts of the mechani s m not showngin Figs.

6, 7 and 8 are the Same in both forms of my invention. Ihese parts are,--;flint1,:fioatingbrossbar 2, coil spring 3, fixed crossbar 4,. threaded plug tube 26 to bottom-plate 29 and-ratchet collar 30.

Kidney tubes 3|, which aresimilar t th kidn y tubes 6 and Ba in Fi l are-secured by solder or other means to the-upper surface pivot33.

The knurled wheel 34, containing a recess .35 whichholds the ratchetspring SB, is positioned to revolve about the flanged pivot 33 :which is riveted at its lower end: to a rectangular-platen, the='parallel ends of which 'a're' positioned adjacent to the inwardly facing "e'nd's' 38 'of: the lighter case,

thus providing means for preventing rotation of the rectangular plate 31,

The complete mechanism assembly is firmly held in p ace by a rectangular slide 39, the two of the flanged I9, friction wheel 24 and collar 25.

ends of which are adapted to enter grooves 40 in the ends 38 of the case.v The rectangular slide 39 has a downwardly dimpled area AI in the center which cooperates with the fabricated head 42 of the riveted flanged pivot 33, thereby detachably securing the mechanism assembly in position for normal use. The dimpled area 4| also prevents the slide 39 from being accidentally displaced.

In Fig. '7 the detailed construction of the bottom portion of interna ly threaded tube 26 is shown. The slots 43 are provided for ease in manufacture so that the bottom of tube 26 can be readily flanged over without danger of wrinkling the tube. In Fig. 8 is shown the location of the ratchet spring 36 and the relationship of the cooperating ratchet collar and knurled wheel 34 which form a spring loaded clutch on the line 88 of Fig. 6. a

This form of my invention operates in a similar manner to that of the form shown in Fig. 1 and I described above. Accordingly, it has all of the advantages of that form of the invention plus, a.

greater simplicity and ease of constructionand the recessed mechanism permitting a flat bottom lighter. It is,'therefore, the preferredform of my; invention. a

As will be apparent from the above description herein, my invention also enables the flint to be of any desired length. Thus it has been custom I am in the past to use flints of about A" in length, whereas by means of my invention flints of one inch or longer may be used. Thus in some special type lighters flints as longas seven inches may be used and with my means of avoiding excessive friction on thefiint such flints would last almostindeflnitely. j

Another feature, not illustrated, is thatfloating crossbar 2 is restrained from falling out of plug 5 by peening over the ends of key ways l9. This serves to maintain a minimum pressure on coil spring 3 which is thus prestressed.

on the last thread instead of the usual taper.

. 6 tom ofplug 5 so 155,170 leave .a. quare flat face inward projection in the thread at the top and bottom of tube 18 is inserted with, the flat face, formed by removing the last thread; of plug 5 so as to stop the movement of plug 5iwhen itcomesto the end of tube 18. This overr-un stopservesltoprevent damage to the mechanismthat might .Qe'caused when .it is removedflirom the lighter and tube I8 is accidentally turned without using the spring loaded A number ,of variationsin the-form. ofmy invention are; possible and will be apparent to oneskilled in theart. Thus, for; examplejthe kidney tubest and-ta may be replaced by tubes having other cross sectionssuch as circular with a channel on one-sideyor the kidney tubes'3 and to may each bereplacedvv with-two or more" tubes of circular cross sections so arranged as tomainetain themechanism in a, vertical positionyand the kidneyltubes perform theother functions of d .6 and 6a as described-above. ,Also, threads on the internally threaded tubes E8 and26- andon he' readed plug.,5.. ;may, berep1acedb other means of transmitting-the motion from the tube to the plug, such as cooperating spirals on the tubes and plug. a It is apparent that Ihave described a new and novel form of spark producing mechanism for main igniting a flame which may be used .for any desired purposes such ascigarette lighters. Changes and variations in the form of my invention are possiblaas discussed above, and others may occur to those skilled-in the art. I do not,

therefore, desireto be limited to the exact form of device disclosed by me for purposes of illustration but rather to the scope ofthe invention as it is defined in the following claims.

- I claim:

I 1. In a spark producing mechanism, an internally threaded and rotatably supported tube, a nonrotatable plate. adjacent each end of said tube, a plurality of members axially movable within said tube and including a plug in threaded engagement with said tube and having an axial bore and two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots, a crossbar fixed to said. plug, a floating crossbar guided in said slot, a coiled compression spring interposed between said crossbars, and a flint bearing against the outer face of said floating bar; a rigid connection between said end plates, such connection extending through the bore in said plug and'forniedto hold said axially movable members against 'radial "displacement 7 and said plug against rotary movement and manually operable means on the exterior of said tube for rotating the tube.

2. A spark producing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, characterized by said rigid connection being a pair of opposed kidney-shaped tubes spaced apart to slidably'receive said crossbars and providing containers for extra flints.

3. A spark producing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, characterized by. said manually operable means comprising a spring loaded clutch including two concentric ring. members encircling I said tube with'the inner ring fixed to .said tube Another feature of my invention, not illus- I trated', is that there may be an overrun stop at the top and bottom of plug l5 and tube l8. This overrun stop can be formed by removing one complete circle of thread from the top and botand the .outer ring independently rotatable, a spring pawl, one of said members having a segmental recess for housing said pawl, and circuman opening in one wall for receiving a flint and which cooperates a large opening in an opposite wall, of a spark producing mechanism insertable and removable as a unit through said larger opening, inter-engaging means on said case and said unit for locating the latter and maintaining it against lateral displacement, and a movable closure for said larger opening, said spark producing unit including an internally threaded tube, manually operable means engageable from the exterior of said casing for rotating said tube, a flint, a plug in threaded engagement With said tube and having an axial bore, said plug being axially movable on rotation of said tube, fixed means extending through said bore for guiding said flint in axial movement and holding said plug against rotation, and means carried by said plugfor supporting and exerting a resilient end pressure against said flint.

5. A combination in accordance with claim 4,

'but characterized by said flint supporting means carried by said plug including a crossbar fixed to,

the plug, a floating crossbar guided in the bore of the plug and a coiled compression spring interposed between said crossbars; by said fixed means extending through said bore comprising a pair MICHAEL OKEEFFE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,725,901 Douglass Aug. 27, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 121,388 Austria 1931 200,759 Great Britain July 19, 1923 277,775 Italy a. 1930 357,355 Great Britain 1931 358,801 Great Britain 1931 574,153 France 192 1 

